Page 42 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)
Thirty-One
“ Y ou’re here!” Phil pounced on George’s bed long before George was ready to escape it.
“And you are far too happy for this time of day.” George fluffed her pillow.
“You love mornings. I cannot believe I find you still abed.”
“I have also spent the past three nights in inns with rickety beds and long days in a carriage.”
“So Grandfather said. However, I am to have the rest of the story from you.”
“And I am in want of a bath. It was too late for one last night.”
“Then you can tell me everything while I comb out and wash your hair. Do you think the cooks will spare us some vinegar?”
George shuddered. The chance she picked up lice in the inns was greater than not.
She and her sisters had spent long hours ridding themselves of the itchy little creatures who had no care for rank or status.
She threw back the covers. “I’ll tell everything as long as you kill every last one of them. ”
Two hours later, both sisters were satisfied, Phil with an account of George’s adventures, and George with a head declared free of nits.
Phil picked at a scone the maid brought up.
“I wish we could have you stay with us. But we are meant to leave in the morning for the Duke’s house party.
Rather his wife’s. He loathes the things, but she insists that she has one.
Michael and I are invited as the Duke’s guests so he can avoid some of the more rowdy goings-on.
I would never venture to take any of my sisters to the Duchess’s parties as debauchery is on the menu. ”
“The Duke allows this?”
“He stops what he can. I imagine that if he did not attend that it would be much worse.”
“What am I to do? Where can I go?”
“Why not join Alex and Jane in Bath? Father should not be upset by that. You will be far from Johnathan and at no expense of Father’s.”
“I had not thought of that.”
“Father is more likely to pursue Marguerite than come after you.”
In unison, the sisters laughed a bitter laugh.
“I believe Bath is the answer then. I best speak with Grandfather to make arrangements.” George put on her shoes.
“I’ll speak with Grandfather. You speak with Johnathan. I saw him after his Christmas travels to Yorkshire. He will not relish you leaving again.”
Johnathan was in the library, his nose buried in a book. George observed him from the shadows of the corridor. His eyes crinkled at the corners. A thin line creased his brow. She stepped through the doorway and his eyes rose from the book and met hers—she was lost and found at the same time.
How was it possible that Georgiana looked more beautiful each time he saw her?
Elopement .
The word floated through his head. This time not accompanied by the ugly echoes. With effort he pushed the word back out of his mind.
“Are you off to your sister’s then?”
“Phil is making arrangements for me to go to Bath.”
He stood and came to her. “You’re not leaving with her?”
“Phil cannot have me since they are leaving Town.”
“How long?”
“I assume until the beginning of the Season.”
He reached for her hand and brushed her fingertips. “That long?”
“It is no longer than we planned.”
“I hoped...” He rubbed the back of her knuckles.
Georgiana turned over her hand, giving him access to her palm. “I thought we would have an opportunity to talk at least a few times.”
“We can still write letters.”
“No.” Georgiana pulled her hand away and stepped back. “Father said you cannot court me. I need to abide by his wishes. Perhaps then he may change his mind.”
“But—”
“Please. My sisters and I have fought against Father since Mother died. Learning to garden, bartering with the butcher, sneaking Sir Galahad in and out of the house… So much. We have not, as the Bible says, honored our father. I have thought about this much since hearing a sermon on the subject last spring. After Father’s rampage in the church, I wonder if my constant defiance was making matters worse. ”
“So you will give up our letters?”
“I will honor my father’s wishes in hopes of softening his heart. Once the Season begins, we can speak with my father together and make him understand we wish to court.”
“And if he does not?”
Georgiana turned her face back to him. “Then there is always our friend Mrs. Gretna Green.”
Before he could react, Georgiana whirled out of the room. Good thing too, if she stayed a minute longer he would have been tempted to take advantage of their lack of chaperone and kiss those upturned lips that dared speak of elopement.